Braided burner for premixed gas-phase combustion

Abstract

A surface burner for gas combustion has a burner surface which is fabricated by intertwining or interweaving an elongated flexible element across a distinct burner frame. This fabrication method can be best referred to as braiding, but also plaiting, lacing or another comparable method.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A burner for pre-mixed gas-phase combustion, the burner comprising:
 an elongated flexible element made of multiple strands of ceramic yarn twisted together; and 
 a frame comprising:
 a holder having a first surface, a second surface, an outer wall, and an inner wall defining an aperture; and 
 structural elements comprising:
 a plurality of full-U-shaped arches, each full-U-shaped arch including two legs and each leg extending from the first surface of the base in a substantially perpendicular direction with respect to the first surface; and 
 a single half-U-shaped arch having a leg and a distal end opposite the leg, the leg extending from the first surface of the base in a substantially perpendicular direction with respect to the first surface and the distal end being attached to an adjacent full-U-shaped arch of the plurality of full-U-shaped arches, 
 
 
 the elongated flexible element being braided around the frame in a braiding pattern, such that the elongated flexible element is intertwined across the frame such that segments of the elongated element form curved and inclined flow channels of a variable cross section and openings between these segments on a burner surface, which provides a flame stabilization surface. 
 
     
     
       2. The burner according to  claim 1 , wherein the burner has the shape of a basket. 
     
     
       3. The burner according to  claim 1 , wherein the r plurality of full-U-shaped arches comprises an even number of full-U-shaped arches. 
     
     
       4. The burner according to  claim 3 , wherein the full-U-shaped arches do not cross each other. 
     
     
       5. A method for fabricating a burner for premixed gas-phase combustion, the method comprising:
 providing an elongated flexible element made of multiple strands of yarn twisted together; 
 providing a frame comprising;
 a holder having a first surface, a second surface, an outer wall, and an inner wall defining an aperture; and 
 structural elements comprising;
 a plurality of full-U-shaped arches, each full-U-shaped arch including two legs and each leg extending from the first surface of the base in a substantially perpendicular direction with respect to the first surface; and 
 a single half-U-shaped arch having a leg and a distal end opposite the leg, the leg extending from the first surface of the base in a substantially perpendicular direction with respect to the first surface and the distal end being attached to an adjacent full-U-shaped arch of the plurality of full-U-shaped arches; and 
 
 
 intertwining the elongated flexible element about the structural elements of the frame such that the elongated flexible element is braided around the frame in a braiding pattern and such that segments of the elongated flexible element form curved and inclined flow channels of a variable cross section between these segments on a burner surface, which provides a flame stabilization surface. 
 
     
     
       6. A burner for pre-mixed gas-phase combustion, the burner comprising:
 a frame comprising:
 a base having a first surface, a second surface, an outer wall, and an inner wall defining an aperture; and 
 structural elements comprising:
 a plurality of full-U-shaped arches, each full-U-shaped arch including two legs and each leg extending from the first surface of the base in a substantially perpendicular direction with respect to the first surface; and 
 a single half-U-shaped arch having a leg and a distal end opposite the leg, the leg extending from the first surface of the base in a substantially perpendicular direction with respect to the first surface; and 
 
 
 an elongated flexible element comprising multiple twisted strands of material, the elongated flexible element being intertwined about the frame to form a burner surface comprising curved and inclined flow channels. 
 
     
     
       7. The burner of  claim 6 , wherein the distal end of the single half-U-shaped arch is attached to an adjacent full-U-shaped arch of the plurality of full-U-shaped arches. 
     
     
       8. The burner of  claim 6 , wherein the multiple twisted strands of material comprise ceramic material. 
     
     
       9. The burner of  claim 6 , wherein each of the structural elements has a thickness that is less than a thickness of the elongated flexible element. 
     
     
       10. The burner of  claim 6 , wherein the curved and inclined flow channels have a variable cross section and segments of the elongated flexible element form openings on the burner surface.